The Best Long Reach Hedge Trimmers For Tall Hedges
Six telescopic pole trimmers that let you cut the top of a tall hedge with both feet on the ground.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best long reach hedge trimmer is the Greenworks G40PSH Hedge Trimmer, the kit we bought for our own conifers and would buy again, with a pole saw included for the branches a trimmer can't take. If you already own Ryobi ONE+ batteries, the Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT Pole Hedge Trimmer gives you the longest cordless reach here for the very top of a tall hedge.
DIY Works is reader supported. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission, which never changes what we recommend. How we make money.
Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Greenworks G40PSH Hedge Trimmer
Best Overall
Greenworks G40PSH Hedge TrimmerTall conifers and mixed hedges where a pole saw helps too
- Check price of Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT Pole Hedge Trimmer
Best Reach
Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT Pole Hedge TrimmerRyobi ONE+ owners with tall hedges that need extra height
- Check price of NETTA Extendable Hedge Trimmer
- Check price of VonHaus Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
Best All-Rounder
VonHaus Cordless Pole Hedge TrimmerLeafy hedges up to 2.4 metres on a moderate budget
- Check price of Terratek 20V Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
Best Budget
Terratek 20V Long Reach Hedge TrimmerOccasional trims of medium hedges on the smallest budget
- Check price of Hyundai 52cc Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
Best Petrol
Hyundai 52cc Long Reach Hedge TrimmerLong runs of tall hedging where battery life would run out
Reach sells these trimmers, but weight is what you feel by the end of a long hedge, as we found with an older and heavier trimmer of our own. Brands quote the length of the tool rather than the height of hedge it'll cut, and your own height and arm reach add to that, so the longest pole isn't automatically the one to buy. Petrol only earns its fuel mixing and extra kilos on long runs of tall hedging.
The six below go from light budget cordless models to a 3 metre petrol trimmer.
How We Tested These Long Reach Hedge Trimmers
For years we tackled our tall hedges with a standard trimmer while balanced on telescopic ladders. Buying a long reach trimmer changed that, and it's now one of the most used tools in our shed, borrowed regularly by family and friends.
We've used long reach trimmers on tall Griselinia hedges, overgrown conifers and a mix of trees and shrubs around our own homes.
Reach and weight were the two things we cared about most. An earlier, heavier trimmer we owned became a real struggle to hold up towards the end of a long hedge, and that experience shaped how we judged everything since.
The Greenworks G40PSH, our top pick, is the trimmer we bought for ourselves, and the short video below shows it working round all sides of a tall conifer. The adjustable head makes the angled cuts on top far easier than they'd be with a fixed blade.
Cordless Hedge Trimmers: Look How Easy Tackling A Tall Conifer Is With This Long Reach Tool! #shorts
Beyond reach and weight, we compared blade construction, battery runtime and the number of head positions, then how easy each trimmer was to extend and use and what you get for the money, warranty included. When a brand releases an improved model, we try to get it in and put it through the same hedges.
The Best Long Reach Hedge Trimmers We Recommend
All six trimmers below will reach the top of a hedge around head height and beyond. Five are cordless and one is petrol.
Best Overall
Greenworks G40PSH Hedge Trimmer
Best for: Tall conifers and mixed hedges where a pole saw helps too
Check Price On AmazonThe Greenworks G40PSH is the long reach trimmer we bought for our own garden, and it's the one in our video tackling a tall conifer. It comes as a kit with a telescopic hedge trimmer head and a branch saw, so the same pole handles thick branches as well as the leafy growth.
With the extension poles fitted it reaches 2.8 metres, and at 4.3kg it sits in the middle of this roundup for weight. The head adjusts to 7 positions, which is what makes squaring off the top of a tall hedge so much easier, as you can keep the blade flat while standing well back.
Power comes from a 40V battery that slots into the bottom of the pole, and it fits other Greenworks 40V tools. The whole thing breaks down into three parts, which helps when it lives in a small shed or needs to go in a car boot.
What we like
- Handled every angle of a tall conifer in our video
- Branch saw included in the kit
- Reach of up to 2.8 metres
- 7 position adjustable head
- 4.3kg with the extension poles fitted
- Splits into three parts for storage and transport
- 40V battery fits other Greenworks tools
What to know
- Most expensive trimmer in this roundup
Our verdict
The Greenworks G40PSH is the trimmer to buy if you've got tall hedges and trees to look after and want a pole saw in the same kit. It's the one we reach for on our own conifers. For a lighter trimmer on a smaller budget, the NETTA is worth a look, and anyone needing a full 3 metres of reach should consider the Hyundai 52cc.
Best Reach
Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT Pole Hedge Trimmer
Best for: Ryobi ONE+ owners with tall hedges that need extra height
Check Price On AmazonThe Ryobi RPT extends to a total of 2.9 metres, which is the longest reach of the cordless trimmers in this list. That extra height helps when you're cutting the top of a hedge that sits on a bank or behind a border you can't stand in.
A high torque motor drives the 45cm diamond-ground blades, and Ryobi says they'll take branches up to 18mm thick. The head only adjusts to 4 positions, though, and a shoulder strap comes in the box to take some of the weight.
That weight is the main thing to know. At 4.6kg it's the heaviest of the cordless options here, which you'll notice holding it at full stretch. It runs on Ryobi's 18V ONE+ batteries and comes with a two year warranty, with the option of a third year.
What we like
- Longest cordless reach here at 2.9 metres
- 45cm diamond-ground blades
- Cuts branches up to 18mm according to Ryobi
- 4 head positions
- Shoulder strap supplied
- Runs on Ryobi ONE+ 18V batteries
What to know
- Heaviest cordless trimmer in this roundup at 4.6kg
- Fewer head positions than the Greenworks or Hyundai
Our verdict
The Ryobi RPT suits anyone who already runs Ryobi ONE+ tools and needs every bit of reach. The extra weight is the trade-off. If you'll be holding it up for a long time, the NETTA or Terratek are far lighter, and the Greenworks G40PSH gives more head angles for shaping.
Best Value
NETTA Extendable Hedge Trimmer
Best for: Budget buyers who want a light trimmer for long sessions
Check Price On AmazonThe NETTA is the trimmer we'd point to if weight is your biggest worry. At 3.4kg it's the lightest in this roundup, and that matters more than anything else once your arms have been above your head for a while.
It reaches 2.4 metres, and we found the telescopic pole easy to extend during testing. The 51cm laser-cut, diamond-finished blades are long for a pole trimmer, and NETTA says they'll cut up to 16mm. The head tilts anywhere between 30 and 150 degrees, so you can work flat across the top or angle it down the face.
A two-way safety switch stops it starting by accident. NETTA isn't a big-name brand and the warranty is only one year, which is the main reason it sits below the Greenworks.
What we like
- Telescopic pole was easy to extend in our testing
- Lightest trimmer here at 3.4kg
- 51cm laser-cut blades
- Head angles from 30 to 150 degrees
- Cuts up to 16mm according to NETTA
- Two-way safety switch
What to know
- Only a one year warranty
- Shorter 2.4 metre reach than the Greenworks or Ryobi
Our verdict
Weight is the NETTA's big selling point, and at 3.4kg it's the one to pick if long sessions with your arms raised are what puts you off the job. Hedges need to sit within its 2.4 metre reach, and the one year warranty is short. For two years of cover, the VonHaus is the alternative.
Best All-Rounder
VonHaus Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
Best for: Leafy hedges up to 2.4 metres on a moderate budget
Check Price On AmazonThe VonHaus pole trimmer is a well-rounded cordless option at a sensible price. It reaches up to 2.4 metres with 45cm dual-action blades, and VonHaus quotes a runtime of 50 minutes from the battery.
In our testing, the head was easy to adjust to any angle we needed, and the whole tool was simple to set up and extend from the box. It weighs 3.8kg with the battery fitted, which sits between the NETTA and the Greenworks, and a shoulder strap helps spread the load.
A two-stage safety trigger stops accidental starts, and it comes in black or grey. The motor is happiest on leafy growth, so thicker woody branches are better left to a pole saw. VonHaus backs it with a two year warranty.
What we like
- Head adjusted easily to every angle in our testing
- Simple to set up and extend
- 50 minute runtime according to VonHaus
- 3.8kg with the battery fitted
- Shoulder strap included
- Two-stage safety trigger
- Two year warranty
What to know
- Struggles with medium and large branches
Our verdict
There's nothing flashy about the VonHaus, and that's its appeal. It extends easily, the head goes to any angle you need and the quoted 50 minutes of runtime covers a decent length of leafy hedging. Woody branches are its weak point, so a garden with thick growth to cut back needs the Greenworks G40PSH and its branch saw.
Best Budget
Terratek 20V Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
Best for: Occasional trims of medium hedges on the smallest budget
Check Price On AmazonThe Terratek 20V is the cheapest trimmer in this roundup, and it still covers the basics well. It reaches 2.4 metres, the head adjusts to 5 positions and the 45cm dual-action steel blades handle ordinary hedge growth without trouble.
Terratek quotes a run time of up to 45 minutes, and at 3.5kg it's nearly as light as the NETTA. A shoulder strap comes with it, and there's a two year warranty.
The build is where you see the saving. It felt cheaply made next to the branded trimmers we've used, so it suits occasional trims rather than heavy, regular use.
What we like
- Cheapest trimmer in this roundup
- Light at 3.5kg
- 5 head positions
- 45cm dual-action steel blades
- Up to 45 minutes run time according to Terratek
- Two year warranty
What to know
- Felt cheaply made next to the branded trimmers we've used
- Shorter runtime than the VonHaus
Our verdict
On price alone the Terratek 20V is hard to argue with, and it covers the basics for a medium hedge that only needs cutting now and then. The build is the compromise, so anyone trimming every few weeks is better off spending more on the VonHaus or NETTA.
Best Petrol
Hyundai 52cc Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
Best for: Long runs of tall hedging where battery life would run out
Check Price On AmazonThe Hyundai 52cc swaps batteries for a two-stroke petrol engine, so you can keep cutting for as long as there's fuel in the tank. If you're used to a petrol hedge trimmer, this is the long reach version.
It reaches a full 3 metres, the most in this list, and the head adjusts to 14 positions, which gave us plenty of angles to work with during testing. A soft-pull start helps get the engine going, shoulder straps come with it and it splits into three parts for storage.
The engine adds weight, and at 8kg it's the heaviest trimmer here by a distance. It also needs fuel mixing and regular maintenance. Hyundai backs it with a three year warranty.
What we like
- 14 head positions gave plenty of angles in our testing
- Longest reach in this roundup at 3 metres
- No battery runtime limit
- Soft-pull easy start
- Splits into three parts for storage
- Three year warranty
What to know
- Heaviest trimmer here at 8kg
- Needs fuel mixing and more maintenance than cordless models
Our verdict
Long runs of tall hedging in a big garden are where the Hyundai 52cc makes sense, as there's no stopping for a battery change and you can set the head for almost any cut. At 8kg it's heavy, so use the straps. For a typical garden, the Ryobi RPT gives nearly as much reach without the engine.
Choosing A Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
A long reach trimmer is a different tool to hold than a standard hedge trimmer, because the weight sits at the end of a long pole. That changes which features matter, so it pays to weigh up a few things before buying one.
Reach And Hedge Height
The reach figures brands quote are the length of the tool, not the height of hedge you can cut. Add your own height and arm reach, and a 2.4 metre trimmer will comfortably top a hedge a good bit taller than that. Measure your tallest hedge, then pick the shortest tool that does the job, because every extra section adds weight at the far end.
For the very tallest conifers, the 2.9 metre Ryobi or the 3 metre Hyundai give the most height. For hedges a little above head height, a 2.4 metre trimmer such as the NETTA or VonHaus is plenty.
Weight And Balance
Weight decides how long you can keep going. Holding 4.5kg at arm's length is very different from holding 3.5kg, and our heavier first trimmer was hard work by the end of a hedge. In this list, the NETTA and Terratek are the lightest, the Greenworks and Ryobi sit in the middle and the petrol Hyundai is the heaviest.
A shoulder strap or harness makes a big difference on any of them, so check one is included. Rest the base of the pole on your hip where you can, and take regular breaks.
Adjustable Head Positions
A head that tilts lets you keep the blade flat across the top of a hedge while you stand on the ground beside it. The more positions, the easier it is to match the angle to the hedge. The Hyundai has 14 and the Greenworks has 7, while the Ryobi has 4. The NETTA quotes a range of angles rather than set positions.
Cordless Or Petrol
Cordless trimmers are lighter, quieter and need almost no maintenance, which suits most home gardens. If you already own batteries from Greenworks or Ryobi, buying the tool on its own keeps the cost down. Petrol suits big gardens with long runs of tall hedging, where a battery would need changing halfway through, but it's heavier and needs fuel and servicing.
Blade Length And Cutting Capacity
Longer blades cover more hedge with each sweep, and the NETTA's 51cm blade is the longest quoted in this list. Cutting capacity tells you the thickest stem the blade will take. Thick, woody branches are better cut with a pole saw, which is why the Greenworks kit is so handy, or with one of the best cordless chainsaws from the ground.
Fast-growing plants such as running bamboo can outgrow a hedge line in a single season. Our guide on how fast bamboo grows in the UK explains how frequently it needs cutting back. After a big trim, a garden shredder turns the clippings into mulch rather than filling several green bins.
Long Reach Hedge Trimmer Questions We Get Asked
How tall a hedge can a long reach hedge trimmer cut?
A long reach hedge trimmer with a 2.4 to 3 metre reach will cut the top of a hedge well above that length, because your own height and arm reach add to the tool. How much higher depends on your own height and how far the head tilts. For anything beyond comfortable reach, you'll need a stable platform or a professional tree surgeon.
Can you use a long reach hedge trimmer as a normal hedge trimmer?
Yes, most long reach hedge trimmers can be shortened by removing the extension sections, which lets you use them on low hedges and shrubs. They're still heavier and longer than a standard trimmer at their shortest length, so if most of your hedges are below waist height, a dedicated cordless hedge trimmer is lighter and easier to control.
Is a long reach hedge trimmer safer than using a ladder?
A long reach hedge trimmer is safer for most tall hedges because you keep both feet on the ground instead of holding a running blade at the top of a ladder. Ladders on soft lawns can shift, and reaching sideways makes that worse. Always wear eye protection and gloves, and keep the cable or pole clear of overhead power lines.
When should you cut a tall hedge in the UK?
Most UK hedges get their main trim in late summer or early autumn, once nesting birds have finished. Cutting during the main bird nesting season, from March to August, risks disturbing active nests, which is an offence. Check carefully before you start, and do the main shaping in late summer so the hedge looks tidy through autumn and winter.
Which long reach hedge trimmer would you buy again?
The Greenworks G40PSH, because it's the one we bought for our own garden and we'd buy it again. It reaches up to 2.8 metres, the head adjusts to 7 positions and the kit includes a branch saw. It's the most expensive trimmer in our list, so the NETTA is the lighter, cheaper alternative.
Is the petrol Hyundai 52cc worth the extra weight over a cordless trimmer?
Only on long runs of tall hedging where a battery would run out. The Hyundai 52cc weighs 8kg, the heaviest trimmer in our list, and it needs fuel mixing and more maintenance. It does reach a full 3 metres with 14 head positions. For a typical garden, the Ryobi RPT gives nearly as much reach without an engine.
Is the NETTA good enough or should I spend more on the Greenworks?
The NETTA is good enough if weight is your main worry. At 3.4kg it's the lightest trimmer in our list, and we found the pole easy to extend. The trade-offs are a 2.4 metre reach and a one year warranty. If your hedges are tall or you want a branch saw, the Greenworks G40PSH suits better.
Will the VonHaus cope with thick branches in a hedge?
No, thick growth is the VonHaus weak point. It struggles with medium and large branches, and its motor suits leafy hedging better. It's easy to set up and extend, and the head adjusts to any angle you need. A garden with woody growth to cut back is better served by the Greenworks G40PSH and its branch saw.
The Long Reach Hedge Trimmer We'd Buy
The Greenworks G40PSH is the long reach hedge trimmer we'd recommend, and it's the one we use on our own conifers. The tilting head makes squaring off the top of a tall hedge far easier, and with the branch saw in the box it's the most complete kit in this list.
If you want something lighter and cheaper, the NETTA weighs just 3.4kg, and the Hyundai 52cc is the petrol choice for the longest, tallest hedges.
Archie is our gardening specialist. He started out as an apprentice at a gardening firm, built up his own knowledge from there and now writes most of our garden content.